I recently purchased a new Yaesu VX-7R handheld from Universal. The
experience wasn't exactly pleasant, I placed my order (online) on a
Tuesday, hadn't gotten any response by Thursday, called to confirm
order, yes they said they had it but it hadn't shipped. I asked if the
units were in stock, they said they had plenty. Long story short,
didn't ship for another 7 days and when it did got no notification of
shipment.

But the real issue is that I just checked the serial # on the unit I
got and it appears to have been manufactured in January OF 2003. In
other words, next month it will be three years old -- and this was
supposed to be a new unit.

It was in all the original packaging, etc. But is it really possible
that Universal's turnover is so bad that they have three year old
product sitting on their shelves? Does anyone know of any significant
revisions to the VX-7R over the last three years that would render my
unit suboptimal?

Thanks,

greg

On 20 Dec 2005 14:21:09 -0800, "
wrote:

I recently purchased a new Yaesu VX-7R handheld from Universal. The
experience wasn't exactly pleasant, I placed my order (online) on a
Tuesday, hadn't gotten any response by Thursday, called to confirm
order, yes they said they had it but it hadn't shipped. I asked if the
units were in stock, they said they had plenty. Long story short,
didn't ship for another 7 days and when it did got no notification of
shipment.

But the real issue is that I just checked the serial # on the unit I
got and it appears to have been manufactured in January OF 2003. In
other words, next month it will be three years old -- and this was
supposed to be a new unit.

It was in all the original packaging, etc. But is it really possible
that Universal's turnover is so bad that they have three year old
product sitting on their shelves? Does anyone know of any significant
revisions to the VX-7R over the last three years that would render my
unit suboptimal?

Thanks,

greg

In retail I believe the word "new" means "unused".

Eric,

Yes I had a similar experience a few months ago with them. It was like I was
interrupting them. Maybe they were feeding their cats.

I gave them another chance and ordered a radio from them last week. That's
how people usually treat their customers these days.

Belated congratulations on the Ten Tec.

Maybe, I'll forward this thread to them.

Do you mind?


"Eric F. Richards" wrote in message
...
" wrote:

I recently purchased a new Yaesu VX-7R handheld from Universal. The
experience wasn't exactly pleasant, I placed my order (online) on a
Tuesday, hadn't gotten any response by Thursday, called to confirm
order, yes they said they had it but it hadn't shipped. I asked if the
units were in stock, they said they had plenty. Long story short,
didn't ship for another 7 days and when it did got no notification of
shipment.

But the real issue is that I just checked the serial # on the unit I
got and it appears to have been manufactured in January OF 2003. In
other words, next month it will be three years old -- and this was
supposed to be a new unit.

It was in all the original packaging, etc. But is it really possible
that Universal's turnover is so bad that they have three year old
product sitting on their shelves? Does anyone know of any significant
revisions to the VX-7R over the last three years that would render my
unit suboptimal?

Thanks,

greg

Don't know about revisions to the VX-7R, but the Big Two usually
discussed here for purchases have not won any kudos from me.
Universal killed off a $4,000 purchase in 2003 by blowing me off when
I talked to them about purchasing a TT RX-340. Even the poor lady who
passed me the response from the "sales" person was taken aback at it.

I bought from Ten Tec instead.

If I can, I do as much purchasing from Ham Radio Outlet, but it helps
if you know someone. The local (Denver) store has a real jerk there
(who's always available to talk to you since all the experienced
buyers avoid him) and some good people.

As for the Yaesu... call Vertex-Standard (Yaesu) and ask -- you'll
probably get decent help from them about any changes.


--
Eric F. Richards

"Nature abhors a vacuum tube." -- Myron Glass,
often attributed to J. R. Pierce, Bell Labs, c. 1940

Yea...I've stopped even checking with Universal when I buy anything. The
last few times I phoned the salesman acted like it was a BFD to check his
stock. Then they really stuck it to me on shipping/handling. My wife tried
to order a gift for me a couple times and she was treated like crap. If they
don't care, I don't care and the only way to handle these kinds of places is
to vote with your feet (go elsewhere).

Smokey

Right, well, on the whole, I've had pretty decent dealings with
Universal. Admittedly, I have had it happen before where one of the
salespersons at Universal seemed anxious to get off the phone (even if
there was a valid reason for this, a good salesperson can conduct a
call in such a way that the customer isn't aware of the fact). But
that wasn't any big deal and was, for me, the exception and not the
rule. Recently, I placed an order from Universal by phone and received
really excellent, helpful service from Scott.
I think a large part of this sort of thing is simply the individual
salespersons and personality types. One of my worst experiences of all
times was with this overbearing, self-important bloke at HRO Atlanta
when I was new to the SWL hobby in 1988. He was the kind of fellow to
whom, if you weren't completely versed in all of the technical jargon
and so forth, you were an idiot. After purchasing a receiver, he
started trying to get me interested in amateur radio. But I can't say
that I was particularly thrilled at that idea after dealing with this
fellow. After all, I thought, why would I want to spend all that money
on radio gear so that I could communicate with folks like that?
Admittedly, not all ham operators are like that. But it's that sort of
experience that can be completely off-putting, especially when you're
new to something. Anyway, my interest in those days, and still is,
SWBC listening and not amateur radio. So, it's not likely that I would
have gone the ham route, even if he had been a decent salesperson.
And I don't mean for this to be taken as a swipe against HRO. That guy
has long since left HRO Atlanta. And I've had great experiences with
the HRO in Northern Virginia.

junius

Smokey wrote:
Yea...I've stopped even checking with Universal when I buy anything. The
last few times I phoned the salesman acted like it was a BFD to check his
stock. Then they really stuck it to me on shipping/handling. My wife tried
to order a gift for me a couple times and she was treated like crap. If they
don't care, I don't care and the only way to handle these kinds of places is
to vote with your feet (go elsewhere).

Smokey

In article .com,
"junius" wrote:

Right, well, on the whole, I've had pretty decent dealings with
Universal. Admittedly, I have had it happen before where one of the
salespersons at Universal seemed anxious to get off the phone (even if
there was a valid reason for this, a good salesperson can conduct a
call in such a way that the customer isn't aware of the fact). But
that wasn't any big deal and was, for me, the exception and not the
rule. Recently, I placed an order from Universal by phone and received
really excellent, helpful service from Scott.
I think a large part of this sort of thing is simply the individual
salespersons and personality types. One of my worst experiences of all
times was with this overbearing, self-important bloke at HRO Atlanta
when I was new to the SWL hobby in 1988. He was the kind of fellow to
whom, if you weren't completely versed in all of the technical jargon
and so forth, you were an idiot. After purchasing a receiver, he
started trying to get me interested in amateur radio. But I can't say
that I was particularly thrilled at that idea after dealing with this
fellow. After all, I thought, why would I want to spend all that money
on radio gear so that I could communicate with folks like that?
Admittedly, not all ham operators are like that. But it's that sort of
experience that can be completely off-putting, especially when you're
new to something. Anyway, my interest in those days, and still is,
SWBC listening and not amateur radio. So, it's not likely that I would
have gone the ham route, even if he had been a decent salesperson.
And I don't mean for this to be taken as a swipe against HRO. That guy
has long since left HRO Atlanta. And I've had great experiences with
the HRO in Northern Virginia.

junius

Smokey wrote:
Yea...I've stopped even checking with Universal when I buy anything. The
last few times I phoned the salesman acted like it was a BFD to check his
stock. Then they really stuck it to me on shipping/handling. My wife tried
to order a gift for me a couple times and she was treated like crap. If they
don't care, I don't care and the only way to handle these kinds of places is
to vote with your feet (go elsewhere).

I've bought a number of radios, equipment and books from Universal and
sold some items back to them on their used equipment list. I am 100%
satisfied in all aspects on all the transactions I have had with them.
The service could not have been better in all cases.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

I've had nothing but good experiences with Universal. This includes
buying new and used equipment, as well as trading stuff in. In fact, I
recently traveled to Universal to trade in an R8B and NRD-545 for a new
Ten Tec RX-340, and was completely satisfied with the service.
Apparently Universal does not process orders made via their website in
a timely manner, as opposed to phone orders that seem to get processed
quickly.

What annoys me is the crappy service I sometimes get when visiting
Amateur Electronic Supply in Wickliffe, OH. The salesmen are always on
the phone taking orders and walk-in customers are frequently ignored.

I just bought a Sony AN-LP1 from them a week ago Wed. by phone. I
called this Thursday to confirm shipping. They said it "shipped out
yesterday". It takes a week to ship an in-stock accessory item?
Christmas or not, I wasn't impressed.


On Tue, 20 Dec 2005 21:57:22 -0600, "GYT" No Email Address wrote:

Eric,

Yes I had a similar experience a few months ago with them. It was like I was
interrupting them. Maybe they were feeding their cats.

I gave them another chance and ordered a radio from them last week. That's
how people usually treat their customers these days.

Belated congratulations on the Ten Tec.

Maybe, I'll forward this thread to them.

Do you mind?


"Eric F. Richards" wrote in message
.. .
" wrote:

I recently purchased a new Yaesu VX-7R handheld from Universal. The
experience wasn't exactly pleasant, I placed my order (online) on a
Tuesday, hadn't gotten any response by Thursday, called to confirm
order, yes they said they had it but it hadn't shipped. I asked if the
units were in stock, they said they had plenty. Long story short,
didn't ship for another 7 days and when it did got no notification of
shipment.

But the real issue is that I just checked the serial # on the unit I
got and it appears to have been manufactured in January OF 2003. In
other words, next month it will be three years old -- and this was
supposed to be a new unit.

It was in all the original packaging, etc. But is it really possible
that Universal's turnover is so bad that they have three year old
product sitting on their shelves? Does anyone know of any significant
revisions to the VX-7R over the last three years that would render my
unit suboptimal?

Thanks,

greg

Don't know about revisions to the VX-7R, but the Big Two usually
discussed here for purchases have not won any kudos from me.
Universal killed off a $4,000 purchase in 2003 by blowing me off when
I talked to them about purchasing a TT RX-340. Even the poor lady who
passed me the response from the "sales" person was taken aback at it.

I bought from Ten Tec instead.

If I can, I do as much purchasing from Ham Radio Outlet, but it helps
if you know someone. The local (Denver) store has a real jerk there
(who's always available to talk to you since all the experienced
buyers avoid him) and some good people.

As for the Yaesu... call Vertex-Standard (Yaesu) and ask -- you'll
probably get decent help from them about any changes.


--
Eric F. Richards

"Nature abhors a vacuum tube." -- Myron Glass,
often attributed to J. R. Pierce, Bell Labs, c. 1940

"DJ Bjorklund" wrote in message
...
I just bought a Sony AN-LP1 from them a week ago Wed. by phone. I
called this Thursday to confirm shipping. They said it "shipped out
yesterday". It takes a week to ship an in-stock accessory item?
Christmas or not, I wasn't impressed.


Pretty much the norm for Universal.
I like their prices.
But their shipping and support sucks.

-Has

For One and All,

Here is a New Old Stock Item that is not from Universal Radio.

But the Universal Radio WebSite has it Listed as "Discontinued"
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/1806.html
AOR LA350 Active Shortwave Loop Antenna
has been specifically designed to provide reception
when located indoors. Coverage is from 3-30 MHz
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/1806.html

AOR LA350 - Active Loop Aerial / Antenna
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5845689225

that's all folks ~ RHF